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Rían
daughter of Belegund, the nephew of Barahir, she was the wife of Huor (of the Hador) and mother of Tuor (who married Idril the elf). Rían is the grandmother of Eärendil (Elrond’s father), which is where part of his Edain (Human) bloodline comes from.

Rían was born around 450 of the First Age. She was gentle of heart and loved neither war or hunting. She loved the trees and the flowers of the wild often sang songs. After the disasterous Dagor Bragollach (“Battle of Sudden Flame” in 455 FA), Rían and her cousin Morwen were refugees along with Emeldir and others of the House of Bëor. Most went to Brethil, but the two cousins, however, continued on and fled to Dor-lómin. It was here, the home of the House of Hador, where she met Huor. They were married only two months when Huor left with his brother Húrin to fight in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. When she did not hear news of her husband she fled into the wild but was aided by the Grey-elves of Mithrim. There she bore her son Tuor and he was raised by the Elves. Rían learned from the Elves that Huor had died in the Battle so she left Mithrim and went to Haudh-en-Ndengin, the Mound of the Slain, where the bodies of Elves and Men from the War were buried. She laid herself upon it and died of grief.

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Morwen “Dark Maiden”
also called Eledhwen (“Elfsheen”) because of her great beauty and the “Lady of Dor-lómin”. She was the daughter of Baragund and the wife of Húrin Thalion (of the Hador). Her children were Túrin and Nienor, who were cursed with a doomed fate. When Húrin was captured and brought to Morgoth during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Morgoth placed a curse on him, Morwen, and their children saying, “The shadow of my thought shall lie upon them wherever they go, and my hate shall pursue them to the ends of the world.” Húrin was forced to sit and watch all the evils that befell his family through Morgoth’s eyes.

Morwen was dark-haired and beautiful, and also very strong-willed and stern. She did not show her emotions and seemed cold. When Morwen was young, she and her cousin Rían fled to Dor-lómin to escape the disasterous Dagor Bragollach, which had destroyed her House and homeland. It was there, the home of the House of Hador, were she met Húrin. They were married and their son Túrin was born in 464 FA. Their daughter Urwen, called Lalaith, was born soon after but died from a pestilence when she was three. After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad broke out and Húrin was captured, Easterlings invaded Dor-lómin. Morwen was so great in beauty and majesty that the Easterlings were afraid and thought her a witch. She was left alone and poor, since Húrin was captured, but she was aided by Aerin. Afraid that her son Túrin (now nine years of age) would be captured and enslaved, she sent him away to Thingol in Doriath. After he left, Morwen gave birth to her daughter, Nienor. Soon news of Túrin’s arrival to Doriath reached Morwen and she was relieved. Melian, Thingol’s wife, sent a message bidding Morwen to come to Doriath as well, but Morwen decided to stay in Dor-lómin because Nienor was still just a baby. Túrin was raised by Thingol but still corresponded with his mother through messages, which is how he learned of his sister Nienor.

After time, Morwen and Nienor fled to Doriath but found that Túrin was gone, for he had traveled to Nargothrond. After the defeat of Nargothrond by Morgoth and the dragon Glaurung, Morwen became worried and fled into the wild to seek her son. Thingol sent Mablung to guard her and made Nienor stay behind. However, Nienor secretly disguised herself and went along. Morwen eventually found out about Nienor but could not persuade her to go back. During their journey, the dragon Glaurung flew over them and his mist and shadows separated Morwen and Nienor from the company. Word was brought back to Thingol that they were lost but Nienor had befallen a spell of ‘forgetfulness’ by the dragon.

No word was ever heard of Morwen again, but she lived many years in the wild as a homeless wanderer. In the year 500 FA, Húrin was released by Morgoth and he traveled to the spot where Túrin and Nienor had died, Cabed-en-Aras by the river Teiglin. He noticed that there was a women standing over their tombstone. She was old but her eyes still beheld the gleam that earned her the name Eledhwen, the proudest and most beautiful of mortal women. “You come at last,” said Morwen, “I have waited too long….but you are too late. They are lost.” Morwen then gave one last sigh and died upon the tombstone of her children. Húrin made a grave for his wife next to the stone and carved, Here lies also Morwen Eledhwen. After Beleriand sank below the sea at the end of the First Age, the land surrounding the Stone of the Hapless became an island known as Tol Morwen.

Niënor “Mourning”
also called Níniel (“Tear-Maiden”), the daughter of Morwen and Húrin, and the sister (and wife) of Túrin. Her story is found in Narn i Chîn Húrin, the Tale of the Children of Húrin. Before Niënor was born, her father Húrin was captured by Morgoth and a curse was placed on him and his family.

Niënor was born in Dor-lómin after Túrin had left for Doriath around 472 FA. At that time, Dor-lómin was no longer under the House of Hador rule, but was occupied by the Easterlings who treated everyone of the House as serfs. Later on, she traveled to Doriath with her mother but found Túrin to be gone. They stayed there for awhile, being treated as guests, but Morwen was worried about her son and went off to search for him. Niënor was made to stay behind but she disguised herself as one of Thingol‘s people and went along. When they came upon the banks of Sirion, Niënor was revealed and her mother commanded her to return. Niënor could not be persuaded, for she wanted to find her brother, and so did not go back. They traveled to Nargothrond, but found it destroyed. The dragon Glaurung flew by and caused Morwen and Niënor to become separated from the companions. Thingol’s men thought they were lost and traveled back to Doriath, but Niënor was thrown off her horse, though unhurt, and made her way to Amon Ethir in Nargothrond. The dragon Glaurung approached her and she stared into his eyes. Her will was strong but his power overtook her and he cast a spell of forgetfulness upon her. She could no longer remember her past, her name, or the name of any other thing. She could no longer hear, speak, or see.

Mablung found Niënor in this state and took her hand and fled into the wild. They met up with other elves in his company but then were assailed by an Orc-band. Niënor regained her hearing and sight and fled in terror, tearing off her clothes until she ran naked into the wild. Mablung and his companions defeated the Orcs but could not find Niënor and went back to Thingol with ill news.

Niënor wandered in the wild and knew not how to find nor eat food and so was afraid. She came to the Crossings of the Teiglin and layed herself upon the mound of Haudh-en-Elleth (see Finduilas) as if she were dying. There, Túrin found her, and at the sight of her lying there, was stricken in the heart. He wrapped her in his cloak, took her to a nearby lodge, and fed her. He asked her concerning her name and kin but she could say nothing and started to cry. Túrin therefore named her Níniel, or “Tear Maiden”. At that name she said, ‘Níniel’, thus being the first word she had spoke.

Turin Discovers Nienor by Ted Nasmith

Niënor lived with Túrin and his woodland people in Amon Obel. Túrin asked Niënor in marriage, but she delayed in spite of her love for him. Brandir (leader of the Haladin at this time and grandson of Gloredhel) loved Niënor but all her heart was given to Túrin. Three years later, Túrin asked to wed her again or he would go back to war, and Niënor agreed and they were wedded in midsummer. In the spring Niënor was with child but Túrin had left to sought after the dragon Glaurung who haunted their borders. Niënor was unwilling to wait and set forth after, much to Brandir’s dismay. He followed with her to Cabed-en-Aras and saw Túrin laying unconscious beside the mortally wounded dragon. Glaurung spoke for the last time to Niënor and revealed the truth of Túrin, and their evil deeds, and then the dragon died. With this, Niënor was lifted from the curse and she remembered all of her past. She looked upon Túrin and cried, “A Túrin Turambar turun ambartanen, master of doom by doom mastered!”. Niënor, being distraught and stricken with horror, cast herself into in the wild waters of the Teiglin.

Brandir came back to his people and told them Túrin and Niënor were dead, and that she was his sister. However, when Túrin came back, they disbelieved Brandir and Túrin slew him for spreading lies. Túrin, in his madness, flew to Haudh-en-Elleth and cried upon Finduilas to bring him counsel. There, Mablung met him and he told Túrin about his sister being cast into a spell of forgetfulness, and at last Túrin knew that doom had overtaken him and that he slew Brandir unjustly. He then fled to Cabed-en-Aras and threw himself upon his sword. Mablung and the elves buried him with the shards of his sword, Gurthang, and carved in the mound, “Túrin Turambar Dagnir Glaurunga” and beneath that, “Niënor Níniel”, although it was never known if the waters had taken her.

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Haleth, leader of the Haladin of Brethil
She was born in 341 of the First Age and was the daughter of Haldad who dwelled in Thargelion. Haleth became the leader of her people when her brother Haldar and her father were slain by Orcs in 375 FA. She moved her people West to Estolad and remained there for a time.

Later, they moved to the forests of Brethil (“Silver Wood”) but the journey caused many hardships and loss. Now Brethil was claimed by Thingol of Doriath but Finrod Felagund was a friend of Thingol and he told him all that had befallen her people. Thingol allowed her people to dwell in Brethil Forest if they guarded the Crossings of Teiglin from Orcs. The People of Haleth were brave and honorable folk. They defeated Orcs from the north during the Dagor Bragollach and kept Brethil safe.

Here Haleth dwelt until her death. Haleth was a women of great heart and strength but never married. After her death in 420 FA, her leadership passed to her brother’s son, Haldan. His son, Halmir (Hareth‘s father), became Lord of the Haladin and was a hero in the Dagor Bragollach. Her people raised a green mound over her burial site and called it Tûr Haretha, the Ladyburrow, or Haudh-en-Arwen in Sindarin.

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Yavanna “Giver of fruits”
also called Kementári, “Queen of the Earth”, spouse of Aulë and older sister of Vána. She is the lover of all things that grow in the earth. As a woman, she is robed in green and tall, but can take other forms. In the beginning of days, Yavanna planted all the seeds and made everything grow in Arda. She also made the two great lamps for lighting Middle-earth. After Melkor broke the lamps, Yavanna sang as she always did, for her songs had growing power. Two great trees grew from her song and those trees were Telperion and Laurelin of Valinor. Yavanna and Aulë’s house was separate from the other houses of the Valar in Valmar (capital of Valinor); it was upon the plain of Valinor. In this court were some of all the trees that grew upon the earth, and a pool of blue water lay among them. There, fruits fell throughout the day and they were gathered by Yavanna’s maids. Her fields, the Pastures of Yavanna were in the South of Valmar near the Woods of Oromë. She was the maker of the Ents, her shepherds, created to protect the trees, which she held dearest among all living things. The wizard Radagast the Brown was originally a Maia named Aiwendil who served Yavanna.

She is the greatest of the Vala, her spouse is Manwë and dwells with him in Taniquetil, the highest mountain in Valinor. Varda is said to be too beautiful for words and hears more clearly than all other ears. She created the stars and constellations including the Valacirca, seven stars set in the sky. It was also called “Durin’s Crown” and was the symbol on the door of Moria. Melkor fears and hates Varda the most out of the Valar.

Varda and Manwe in Valinor by Ted Nasmith

The Elves were especially fond of Varda and often praise her in songs. Some more famous hymns include:

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Melian “Dear gift”
wife of the Elf-king Thingol of Doriath, mother of Lúthien. Melian was the maiar who served Vána and Estë. She dwelt in Lórien (in Valinor) and tended the trees in the gardens of Irmo. She was skilled in songs of enchantment and nightingales always went with her. When the elves awoke in Middle-earth, Melian left Valinor and wandered in the forest of Neldoreth in Middle-earth. There, Elwë, lord of the Teleri, came across Melian and was filled with wonder and desire. Melian also fell in love and casted an enchantment on him so that they were never parted. Thingol, as he was later called, and Melian were wed and ruled the kingdom of Grey-elves (Sindar) in Doriath. The Grey-elves became the most wise and skillful of all the Elves of Middle-earth due to the teachings of Thingol and Melian. Melian was the most powerful being in Middle-earth at this time.

Elwe and Melian by Elena Kukanova

To protect Doriath from Morgoth, Melian cast the “Girdle of Melian”, an unseen wall of shadow and bewilderment, and none could pass against her will or the will of King Thingol. Melian often talked with Galadriel about Valinor and Melian learned about the Simarils and the exile of the elves. Melian was filled with grief for the Elves and because of her foresight she knew that many wars over the Silmarils were about to come. She also grieved for her daughter Lúthien, and the fate she chose to be with Beren. The parting of Lúthien from Melian and Thingol was filled with much sadness.

The realm of Doriath was a safe haven and Melian and Thingol gave aid to many Elves and people such as Beren, and fostered Túrin. Melian guarded and protected Doriath and all of its inhabitants for a very long time, but eventually her power faded. For Thingol had in his possesion the Nauglamír, the Dwarf necklace that contained the Silmaril that Beren had recovered. The Dwarves attacked Doriath to claim back their necklace and slayed Thingol (in 502 FA). Upon Doriath was a great change and Melian sat in long silence beside Thingol. Her power was withdrawn from Doriath and she spoke to none except for Mablung and told him to take the Silmaril and send word to Beren and Lúthien in Ossiriand. *

Melian then vanished out of Middle-earth and passed to Valinor to dwell with the Valar and Maiar. There she mused upon her sorrows in the gardens of Irmo. She mourned the death of Thingol, whose spirit was now in the Halls of Mandos, and the loss of Lúthien to the unknown fate of human death.

* Mablung was killed by Dwarves and the Nauglamír was taken back. However, Beren fought with the Dwarf Lord and slayed him, taking back the necklace. Dior, Thingol’s heir and Lúthien’s son, came to Menegroth and ruled Doriath after Thingol’s death and Melian’s departure. See Lúthien and Elwing for more on the Silmaril and the ruin of Doriath.

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Lúthien “Blossom Maiden”
daughter of Thingol, the King of Doriath, and Melian the Maiar, Lúthien was also called Tinúviel, “Daughter of Twilight” or nightingale. She was the wife of the mortal man Beren (from the House of Beor), and the mother of Dior. She chose to become mortal and share Beren’s fate. Their story is told in the “Lay of Liethian”. Her descendant, Arwen, is often called Tinúviel because of their similarities.

Lúthien was born in the forests of Neldoreth in Doriath. Melian cast her “girdle” around Doriath, and protected the Kingdom. Lúthien would walk around the forests and sing. One day in 464 of the First Age, Beren journeyed into Doriath after his many years of perilous journeys and woes. He came across Lúthien as she danced among the grass during the evening under the moonrise. Beren was enchanted by her beauty, as she had grey eyes, dark hair, a blue dress, and golden flowers in her hair. He called her Tinúviel, for he knew no other name for her. Lúthien and Beren would meet secretly in the forests, but Daeron, the minstrel to Thingol who loved Lúthien, told the King about their meeting. Thingol was angered that Lúthien was with a mortal man and they were led to Thingol’s throne. Beren spoke proudly that he thought Lúthien was the fairest of all the Children of the World, and everyone thought he would be slain by his words. Beren also spoke of the ring he wore from his father, Barahir (The Ring was given to Barahir from Finrod, who was recued by Barahir. The Ring became an heirloom for the House of Isildur, which is eventually given to Aragorn.). Thingol gave Beren a quest to get a Silmaril from the Morgoth’s Crown, and only if he brings one back can he have Lúthien’s hand. Many thought Beren was going to his doom, but he just laughed and accepted the mission. Beren said farewell to Lúthien and left. A silence fell upon the woods, as Lúthien was silent and sang no more.

Beren, with Finrod Felagund and ten champions, set forth to Morgoth but were waylaid by Sauron and cast into a deep pit. During this time, Lúthien discovered from Melian that Beren lay in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth with no hope for escape. She planned to fly to Beren but she was betrayed by Daeron. Thingol, therefore, built a wooden house in the greatest tree in Neldoreth. Lúthien was made to dwell here, and the ladders were taken away. However, Lúthien used her enchantments to make her hair grow very long, and wove a dark rope which was laden with a spell of sleep. She let it down from her window and it made the guards fall asleep. Then Lúthien climbed down and left Doriath in a shadowy cloak. During her flee, Lúthien was captured by Celegorm and Curufin, who wanted to overthrow Thingol and force Lúthien to marry Celegorm. However, their wolfhound, Huan, was loyal to Lúthien and helped her to escape. For Huan could under speech but was allowed to speak only three times during his life. Lúthien then came to the bridge that led to Sauron’s isle and sang. Beren heard but he thought he was dreaming. Sauron came forth in the form of a werewolf and attacked Lúthien, but Huan sprang. Sauron could not overthrow Huan, and so retreated in the form of a vampire. Lúthien became the master of the bridge and went to the pits to find Beren. He was mourning the death of Finrod Felagund. He and Lúthien then buried him, and they went free again together.

Luthien Escapes the Treehouse by Ted Nasmith

However, when they reached Doriath, Beren was still haunted by the quest made by Thingol. Lúthien told him that whatever decision he made, she would follow him. Before they got to Doriath, Celegorm and Curufin came back and tried to capture Lúthien, but Beren fought with them. Celegorm shot an arrow at Lúthien but Beren sprang before her and was hit in the chest. Huan, the wolfhound, pursued Celegorm and Curufin, and returning brought Lúthien a herb to heal Beren. He was healed but decided to continue his quest for the Silmaril. While Lúthien was sleeping, he headed towards Thangorodrim where Morgoth dwelt. Before leaving the Pass of Sirion, Beren sang the Song of Parting in praise of Lúthien. But Lúthien heard and went in search for him with Huan. At Sauron’s isle (Tol-in-Gaurhoth), Huan took the form of the werewolf Draugluin, and Lúthien disguised herself as Thuringwethil, the She-bat, and entered Angband. When they reached Beren, they removed their disguise and Beren and Lúthien were together again. Beren, however, didn’t want Lúthien so close to Morgoth. But Huan spoke and said they were to share the same doom together. Beren then became disguised as Draugluin and together they came to the Gate of Angband and dared to go into Morgoth’s Hall. Lúthien was stripped of her disguise and offered to sing for Morgoth. All his court fell into slumber, and Lúthien cast her cloak before Morgoth’s eyes and sent upon him a dream. Beren then drew his knife Angrist and cut a Silmaril from Morgoth’s Crown. But while trying to cut another one, a shard from the knife hit Morgoth and awoke. Beren and Lúthien then fled but were chased by the werewolf Carcharoth. Beren shined the light of the Silmaril at the wolf but Carcharoth bit off the hand of Beren with the Silmaril. The Silmaril burned the wolf’s flesh and sent him fleeing. Beren was poisoned from the venom of Carcharoth and would have died but great birds appeared and flew Beren and Lúthien back to Doriath. Lúthien and Huan tended Beren and he was recovered and from then named Erchamion, One-handed (466 FA).

They happily lived in the forests, but Beren decided to go back to Thingol. So he and Lúthien walked into the Hall of Thingol and Beren said his quest was fulfilled. Thingol told him to show him his hand with the Silmaril, and so Beren held up his right arm, with the missing hand. Thingol’s mood changed and he listened to their story. However, news was brought that said Carcharoth was entering Doriath. Beren and Thingol, with other hunters, went in search of the wolf. Beren threw a spear at Carcharoth, but the wolf threw it back at Beren and was wounded. Huan eventually killed Carcharoth, but was mortally wounded. Carcharoth’s belly was cut open and they took out Beren’s hand with the Silmaril. Beren was carried back to Menegroth, but he was dead. Lúthien died with grief, and went to the Halls of Mandos. She sang for Mandos and a choice was given to her because of her labors and sorrows. She could dwell in Valinor, or become mortal and subject to a second death, but would live in Middle-earth with Beren. She chose to become mortal and she and Beren were resurrected and lived in Tol Galen, in Ossiriand (469 FA). They had a son, Dior, Thingol’s Heir, who was part of the three races, Maiar, Eldar, and Edain. In later years, Beren fought against the Dwarves and reclaimed the Silmaril which had been taken by the Dwarves and made into a necklace. Lúthien wore the Nauglamír, the Dwarf necklace, which contained the Silmaril. Beren and Lúthien lived out the rest of their mortal lives in Tol Galen. After their death in 505 FA, Dior inherited the Silmaril, which was then passed to his daughter Elwing.

Luthien’s Lament Before Mandos by Ted Nasmith

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Elwing “Star Spray”
daughter of Dior (Lúthien and Beren’s son) and Nimloth, an elf from Doriath. Elwing was the wife of Eärendil the Mariner, who was also Half-elven (being Idril‘s son), and she was the mother of Elrond and Elros. She was named “Star Spray” after the Lanthir Lamath, “Waterfall of Echoing Voices”, where she was born in 500 of the First Age. Elwing was actually part of three races; Maiar, Eldar, and Edain, since her father was Lúthien and Beren’s son. Elwing’s husband was Half-Elven, and so her children had the choice of either becoming mortal or to remain with the elves. Elrond chose to stay with his kin, and later ruled Imladris (Rivendell) and was the keeper of Vilya, the ring of air. Elros chose the mortal life of Men and became the first King of Numenor.

After Elwing was born, Dior and Nimloth went to Doriath and Dior was named the King. After Lúthien and Beren died in 505 FA, the Nauglamir, the dwarf necklace containing a Silmaril which Lúthien had worn, was given to him. However, Fëanor’s sons found out about the silmaril and attacked Doriath. Elves fought against each other and Dior and Nimloth were slain. Elwing’s two young brothers were left in the forest to starve but Elwing fled with some of her people to the mouth of the River Sirion. With her was the Silmaril. At the Sirion, they were later joined by Idril and Tuor’s people from Gondolin, which included their son Eärendil.

After living sometime in the Havens of Sirion, Elwing and Eärendil were wed and they had two sons, Elrond and Elros Half-elven. Eärendil loved the sea and learned from Cirdan the Ship-wright. He built his own ship, the Vingilot and sailed in the sea. Elwing did not go with him, and sat in sorrow by the mouths of Sirion. Eärendil could not find Valinor, and so longing for Elwing, he returned to land. However, the sons of Feanor that still lived learned that Elwing had the silmaril. They attacked the elves of Doriath and Gondolin at Sirion and took Elrond and Elros captive. Elwing cast herself into the sea with the silmaril. However, Ulmo (Valar of the Waters) bore Elwing out of the waters as a great white bird with the silmaril and flew to Eärendil while he was on his ship. The next morning she was back in her normal form. They sailed to Valinor and Eärendil talked with the Valar, representing both Man and Elf. The Valar gave Eärendil and his family a choice to live in Valinor or live with mortals. Elwing chose to stay in Valinor, although she was very fond of Men. Eärendil sailed on Vingilot and was lifted into the heavens as the brightest star, Eärendil the Mariner, with the Silmaril at his brow. For Elwing, who loved the earth and wind, was built a white tower on the coast of Valinor. It is said that she learned the tongue of birds and they taught her to fly. She would fly to meet Eärendil when he sailed close to Arda (Earth) much like when she was rescued in the sea. As for their children, Elrond and Elros were taken by Maglor (Fëanor’s son) and raised them.